Seeing the Whole You
Linda Podlin
Apr, 2017
Physicians:
Linda Podlin says she’s lucky to be alive.
This past January, the 75-year-old Niles resident fell in her garage, injuring her leg. The lighting was low so she didn’t notice anything amiss, until her dog started getting excited. That’s when she looked down and realized her leg was covered in blood.
“I called my daughter, and when she got to the house she saw my leg was ripped open,” said Linda. “We immediately called 911.”
Little did Linda know that injury would lead to an even bigger problem.
One week later, during a follow up visit to the Lakeland Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, Linda took a turn for the worse.
“She complained of feeling more tired, and that she was in more pain and not able to do certain activities,” said Krista Schulte, NP. “We checked her blood pressure and vitals and noticed her oxygen level and heart rate were low.”
Considering Linda’s history of diabetes and congestive heart failure, Krista knew it was time to take action.
“At the Wound Center our primary focus is the wound, but it’s also important to understand a patient’s underlying issues,” said Krista.
Linda was immediately transported to the Emergency Department at Lakeland Hospital, Niles.
Further testing proved Linda’s wound was infected.
“She had a very large laceration,” said Krista. “It required sutures and staples, and ended up developing a complication.”
“Thank God that I was taken to the Emergency Department,” said Linda. “I felt at that point, if I had gotten into my car, I wouldn’t have made it.”
Months later, Linda continues to make weekly visits to the Wound Center. While she knows the treatments will take time, Linda says she’s on the path to recovery, thanks in large part to a team of providers that will forever be close to her heart.
“I give the Wound Center a double-thumbs up,” says Linda. “I’m getting better by the day. And you can bet they are keeping a close eye on me.”
“It makes you feel good to find things like that and know you’ve potentially saved someone’s life,” said Krista. “It just takes a few extra minutes to evaluate a patient to make sure they’re safe and you’ve done everything you can do before they leave your care.”